I modeled a wine bottle and mapped a label onto the bottle, however my label is semi transparent, and reflective like the bottle. Anyone have any suggestions on how I can fix this

Hi Stacey, When creating a parametric map, unless you specify otherwise, it will adopt the characteristics of the host (main) shader. (it's a very cool feature actually) For a label though, you'll need to go in the specific parametric map and change the highlight, reflectivity etc. so that it becomes different. Hope that this helps. Mark

Mark, One question.... How the heck do you learn so much about shading/texturing?! Damn, I wish I knew HALF as much about shading as you do! Seriously, was it just learned through experience, or did you use some source or book for reference as you learned, or what? If there's a book out there that helped you with your knowledge, I'd like to know what it is! Headgamer...

I'd be willing to lay down money that Mark does this stuff for a living.. ;) LOL - I would be I cant seem to land enough gigs to keep the money flowing... ;) Clint

Thanks Mark I hope to post a picture soon although my wine boottle isn't nearly as neat as yours :) but thats what learnings all about right.

I know! Mark has been ripping it up texture-wise since before I got Carrara, much less this Bible. But, headgamer, if you want a good resource, you should pick it up too. The Carrara 1.0 bible isn't much in the way of tutorials, but it's an EXCELLENT reference book. Peace, Hoborg

Hi all, Thanks for the kind words :) Clint's right, I do this for a job as an illustrator. Sorry, no magic manual. Just some serious time in the program prefaced with a lot of, "I wonder if I did this what would happen?" type of questions. Started with RD 3 about 4 years ago. I've learned a lot by putting together shaders in response to questions in this forum and have learned a ton by just luking in here. It's a wonderful resource! As far as modeling goes; practice makes perfect. (Doncha' hate that?) I spend quite a little time looking and real world objects and trying to figure out how I'd model them. It's really a sad thing actually :) I could probably actually contribute something to society otherwise. LOL Just have fun and push the envelope! :) Mark

Thats a great tip Mark - I contantly examine things and think of them in terms of 3D programs and how I would be able to reproduce what I am seeing. Even shadows, colors, Textures, Bumps, how an item is contructed, etc. It sometimes gets on my nerves cause I find myself doing this without really thinking about what Im doing. Clint (Clint wishes he could land a fulltime CG job before he leaves this earth) ;)